11 Mediterranean Diet Recipes to Make in Your Instant Pot

Want a quick and easy way to make good-for-you recipes? Well, here's how you can easily combine the healthful eating guidelines of the Mediterranean diet with the time-saving convenience of a multi-cooker. To get you started, I'll share a quick overview of the Mediterranean diet plus easy recipes you can make in your Instant Pot or pressure cooker.

Quick Q&A on the Mediterranean Diet

What is the Mediterranean diet? This popular healthy eating plan emphasizes whole foods, fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado, and proteins such as chicken, seafood, nuts, beans, and legumes. In addition, you'll cut back on added sugars and processed foods, and eat dairy in moderation. You'll also cut back on added salt by using fresh and dried herbs to flavor your food instead.

What are the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet? According to the Mayo Clinic, following this eating style can result in a longer life expectancy and lower rates of chronic diseases. In fact, it's been consistently ranked among the best diets overall.

"I've made this recipe twice in the last month and we just love it! The Instant Pot makes it so easy. The only change I made the second time around was to cut the beans back by half a cup (this seemed to make the bean consistency less tough), increased the broth by a quarter cup and used a mixture of chicken breast and thighs. The flavor of this is amazing and it's just so hearty and perfect for chilly weather days!" — Heidi Nelson Thomas

To keep this easy recipe more in line with the Mediterranean diet, you can reduce the salt by cutting back on the bouillon cubes and bumping up the herbs. "Flavors meld together like they've been simmering all day in a fraction of the time. A couple of small changes: I season the chicken prior to sauteeing. Instead of chicken bouillon cubes, I started using Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base as it contains much less salt and seems to have more flavor." — kirby1kat

Mediterranean diet guidelines suggest you eat fish twice a week. With this easy recipe, you'll be able to stock up and freeze salmon when it's on sale, and cook it easily from frozen. "Salmon doesn’t get much easier than this! This turned out so moist and I like how it can be seasoned to individual preference." — thedailygourmet

"My first thought was maybe I should cut back on the spices cuz it seemed so much, but I am certainly glad I did not! Followed recipe & since I eat dairy free diet, used vegan butter & left out yogurt & this recipe is amazing! I'd give it 10 stars if I could … just that awesome!!" — CCCooks

"This delicious arroz-con-pollo-esque dish is so easy to make with the Instant Pot," says Diana71. "Colorful, appetizing, and nourishing, this meal comes together in a flash and is chock full of flavor! I hope it becomes your next favorite weeknight meal. Squeeze lime or lemon wedges over if you like!"

To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter